Commentary on the Gospel of
Happy Birthday, Mama!
The genealogy presented in today’s gospel indicates that no event in the history of salvation is a stand-alone event. Every event as is every birth, is linked to everything else, within the grand design of God. Mary’s birth, thus, is integrally linked to everything that has gone before and come after. The Liturgy of the day so highlights: “Let us celebrate with joy the birth of the Virgin Mary, of who was born the Sun of Justice…. Her birth constitutes the hope and the light of salvation for the whole world…. Her image is light for the whole Christian people.” St. Augustine underlines the significance of her birth thus: “She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley. Through her birth the nature inherited from our first parents is changed.” Mary’s birth is linked to our lives, through the Son whom she mediated and through whom she became our Mother as well. It’s our Mother’s birthday today.
